Interacting Environmental Factors Affect Targeted Milk Thistle Metabolomic Profile and other Growth Components: A Review

Background: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.) is a medicinally important herb of the family Asteraceae.Its achenes contain the active compound silymarin, which has gained significant attention in the pharmaceutical industry for its hepatoprotective properties, including protection against hepatotoxic agents and stimulation of liver regeneration.However, biosynthesis and accumulation of active ingredients are strongly influenced by environmental variability.Objective: To provide an inclusive overview of the physiological and phenotypic variations in milk thistle under different abiotic and biotic stresses, with a particular focus on silymarin synthesis and accumulation.Methodology: A literature-based review was conducted, compiling information from available sources regarding germination, growth behavior, and secondary metabolite production of milk thistle under variable environmental conditions.Results: Milk thistle not only serves as a medicinally valuable plant but also behaves as a noxious weed.Its germination, growth, and metabolite accumulation, especially silymarin, are highly affected by environmental factors.Despite available research, the full potential of this plant under diverse environmental conditions remains underexplored.Conclusion: Milk thistle can adapt and grow under diverse conditions.However, stresses such as salinity, temperature, and rainfall adversely affect its growth and development, particularly silymarin production.Understanding the physiological responses and secondary metabolite production of milk thistle under different environmental stresses is crucial for optimizing its medicinal use and managing its weed potential in agriculture.